The cities of the Dutch Republic were growing fast, and not everybody was benefiting. Convicts, the underprivileged and the sick were held in workhouses, mental asylums and plague hospitals. The women regents heading these institutions had great responsibilities concerning financial and administrative affairs, and probably procurement. For women, the position of regent was the highest achievable role in the area of public administration, and they performed it with great pride. Many continued their work until they died.
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